ofafeather Posted July 22, 2010 Share Posted July 22, 2010 Hi, All. I have a 3lb Hofi Cast hammer, which I love. I find myself with the need for a smaller/lighter hammer for various reasons. This hammer will complement my 3# so I would like the same style. I'm looking for a 2 to 2-1/4#. Hofi makes a 2.2 which would be great but are not readily available in the states. There are a few people making Hofi style hammers. Brent Bailey will make whatever weight I like and the others are limited to what they stock. Any thoughts?http://www.nanricsto...OSS-PEIN/Detailhttp://www.blacksmit...159686&detail=1 Brent Bailey http://www.brentbaileyforge.com/ will also make one, though it's not listed on his site. (see attached pic) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clinton Posted July 22, 2010 Share Posted July 22, 2010 I would say to go with the Brent Bailey, he does such clean work. Look at the eyes on some of the other hammers they fill them with goo (not what I look for in a hammer) I want a handle that fits Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fe-Wood Posted July 22, 2010 Share Posted July 22, 2010 I also suggest the Bailey hammer. 2 reasons- hand made by him, supports the smith and they are truly great hammers!!! Clinton- The goo you are talking about is for vibration control AND as the handle expands and contracts during the normal seasons, it won't come loose like so many others do, including Brent's. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fosterob Posted July 22, 2010 Share Posted July 22, 2010 I also recommend a B Brent Bailey hammer. His quality is unbeatable and if there was such a thing as perfection his work is it. Fe-wood: Do you know what that goo is, Or does anyone know how to keep handles tight in the summer heat? Soaking in water is a bad idea. Thanks Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ofafeather Posted July 22, 2010 Author Share Posted July 22, 2010 I also recommend a B Brent Bailey hammer. His quality is unbeatable and if there was such a thing as perfection his work is it. Fe-wood: Do you know what that goo is, Or does anyone know how to keep handles tight in the summer heat? Soaking in water is a bad idea. Thanks Rob Thanks for the input all. If I can't get a Hofi I will go with BB. The goo is a type glue. Here's a post from Hofi from a different thread about wheather to wedge or not: The glue that I am useing to hendle the hammer is SIKAFLES 11 FC AND I ONLY glue THE HANDLES AND NEVER WEDGE. I glued already hundreds of hammers in many sizes ans none of them went loos. the hammer eye is having a duble taperd cone (x) to the middle of the eye 3 degrees. on the handle on the part that goes into the eye I grind surretions all around that hold the glue much better. beffor smearing the glue in the eye I clean the eye with thinner to take away any oily remanents for better glueing Hofi Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mainely,Bob Posted July 22, 2010 Share Posted July 22, 2010 I also recommend a B Brent Bailey hammer. His quality is unbeatable and if there was such a thing as perfection his work is it. Fe-wood: Do you know what that goo is, Or does anyone know how to keep handles tight in the summer heat? Soaking in water is a bad idea. Thanks Rob If you can figure out how to get in touch with Glen then he has the same stuff that Hofi uses (Sika-flex?).He can sell it to you if he has any on hand and if you can contact him,last time I tried he wasn`t receiving messages for some reason. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ofafeather Posted July 22, 2010 Author Share Posted July 22, 2010 Okay, figured out how to link to a post. Here it is: Also, for tightening handles, some people in the same thread recommend soaking the head in linseed oil. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clinton Posted July 22, 2010 Share Posted July 22, 2010 I also recommend a B Brent Bailey hammer. His quality is unbeatable and if there was such a thing as perfection his work is it. Fe-wood: Do you know what that goo is, Or does anyone know how to keep handles tight in the summer heat? Soaking in water is a bad idea. Thanks Rob Soaking your hammer in atifreeze works real well, soak for only a couple of hours because it will wick up the handle if left too long (I learned this from Tom Clark) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fosterob Posted July 22, 2010 Share Posted July 22, 2010 Thank you clinton and ofafeather, I will do a each to a few hammers and watch what happens. soaking in oil and antifreeze is easier than re-handling with the sikaflex 11fc. It will be over 100F for a few months so should be a good test. Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stumptown Forge Posted November 14, 2010 Share Posted November 14, 2010 Guys I have been using handles that are glued as my teacher Hofi and my friend and fellow smith Arnon have been using for years. We find that it is huge advantage first It is not glue but a flexible rubber sealer Sika Flex. You fit your handle and then as Hofi does you grind a groove the around the top of the handle then you glue and let it set. Being in the Northwest in the wet handles become loose usually within a year. I have had these handles as long as 8 years and in every case the handle failed first. Now the best part you simply heat the eye portion of the head when a handle breaks with a small torch and the old handle falls out and you simply glue a new one in! I am telling Farriers who buy my hammers to glue their handles in and all of mine that I handle are prepared this way. No more soaking hammers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fciron Posted November 14, 2010 Share Posted November 14, 2010 I have a Hofi style hammer from a reputable US maker and the head is loose. I've had it quite a while, so I'm not complaining. Use of the word "never" in capital letters just gets my goat. It's not too bad yet and I will probably do the authorized official glue/no wedge thing when it needs replacing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jimbob Posted November 14, 2010 Share Posted November 14, 2010 have you looked at Nathan Robertson's hammers ...see here http://www.oldworldanvils.com/hammers/index.html there like 1 1/2, 2, 2 1/2... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maddog Posted November 14, 2010 Share Posted November 14, 2010 I have three "hofi style" hammers from Tom Clark and they are very nice. I have one Hofi hammer from Big Blue. I expected a better finish for the price. But I ordered the forging. Seems the castings are nicer. I just got a 5# kinda sorta hofi style from Brent and its to die for. Its not only that his hammers are so well manufactured, he has an eye for form and every one of his hammers is a beautiful shape. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dragons lair Posted November 14, 2010 Share Posted November 14, 2010 Thanks for the input all. If I can't get a Hofi I will go with BB. The goo is a type glue. Here's a post from Hofi from a different thread about wheather to wedge or not: The glue that I am useing to hendle the hammer is SIKAFLES 11 FC AND I ONLY glue THE HANDLES AND NEVER WEDGE. I glued already hundreds of hammers in many sizes ans none of them went loos. the hammer eye is having a duble taperd cone (x) to the middle of the eye 3 degrees. on the handle on the part that goes into the eye I grind surretions all around that hold the glue much better. beffor smearing the glue in the eye I clean the eye with thinner to take away any oily remanents for better glueing Hofi Just a small update. It is sikaflex 11 FC Ken Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dragons lair Posted November 14, 2010 Share Posted November 14, 2010 I would say to go with the Brent Bailey, he does such clean work. Look at the eyes on some of the other hammers they fill them with goo (not what I look for in a hammer) I want a handle that fits Just a thought. How much of your car/truck is goo/glued together? How about your house? Ever had a fitted wedged handle fail? Took a triple wedged soaked hammer to school once. Another student borrowed it. 2nd heat head flew off. My gooed handles are still tight and shock mounted. My wedged handles have all been re done atleast twice in the same time.(Hate it when the go devil head launchs on the up stroke) Ken. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
philip in china Posted November 14, 2010 Share Posted November 14, 2010 Two words together guaranteed to start an argument are "Czech hammer". I bought up Blacksmiths depot's entire stock of czech hammer heads. I didn't need handles as I have a box full here. I wanted several hammers for my students here. They seem a very good hammer at a reasonable price. I got a couple of Big Blu slash peins- a right and a left and am very happy with those. I think I would say try as many as you can lay hands on and see which you like. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rthibeau Posted November 15, 2010 Share Posted November 15, 2010 A properly fitted handle in a properly made hammer head will not come loose and glue is not needed....just the traditional wedges. Everything else is just gloss on the way it should be done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dale Russell Posted November 15, 2010 Share Posted November 15, 2010 If you want a " hofi " clone " Richards the bloke , ave 1 of his 2 lb's , such a " joy " ta use . Just like the rest of Richards hammers ( btw mate , still ave ta fight ppl ta get back that double dia pein they like it that much ) http://www.dancingfr...rs%20Hammer.JPGhttp://www.dancingfr...s%20Hammer3.JPG Richards hammer page .... http://www.dancingfr.../hammers01.html Dale Russell Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maddog Posted November 15, 2010 Share Posted November 15, 2010 Yes, Richard's hammers look lovely. I must get one someday. I just blew my mad money on a Brent Bailey so it will be a while :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HWHII Posted November 16, 2010 Share Posted November 16, 2010 Soaking your hammer in atifreeze works real well, soak for only a couple of hours because it will wick up the handle if left too long (I learned this from Tom Clark) I use the same. I do my tools twice a year. Here in the desert they dry out fast and I have found it to be the best. I have friends who use penetrol to soak there tools and they say it works better but I have not tried it yet. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thingmaker3 Posted November 16, 2010 Share Posted November 16, 2010 Use of the word "never" in capital letters just gets my goat. Umm.... he said he never wedges his handles. Nice goat, by the way. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fciron Posted November 16, 2010 Share Posted November 16, 2010 Umm.... he said he never wedges his handles. Nice goat, by the way. Immediately after which he declares that none of his hammers have ever gotten loose heads. Thus my objecting to Mr. Hofi's use of the absolute. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KYBOY Posted November 16, 2010 Share Posted November 16, 2010 A properly fitted handle in a properly made hammer head will not come loose and glue is not needed....just the traditional wedges. Everything else is just gloss on the way it should be done. I have to agree with this. I have used handled tools my whole life on a costant basis. Since I was a little boy working for my uncle in his woodworking shop. I split and sold shakes, tobacco sticks, cut bean poles, ect,ect since I was probably 8 years old. By the time I was 11 years old I made my own handles and learned early on how to replace them. I mostly buy replacement handles now but if its fit right and wedged tight it wont come off. The handle should break first.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
basher Posted November 16, 2010 Share Posted November 16, 2010 The sikaflex is a great Tip. I have used it for marine applications and its tough as old boots ,and quite an amazing product . I shall certainly give it a try for this aplication . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maddog Posted November 16, 2010 Share Posted November 16, 2010 The sikaflex is a great Tip. I have used it for marine applications and its tough as old boots ,and quite an amazing product . I shall certainly give it a try for this aplication . Is there a source for it in the US? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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